Ray Blan McCraw, 64, of Polk County, passed away outside doing what he loved, enjoying nature.

Ray was the son of the late Clarence and Nola McCraw.

He retired from the town of Columbus, North Carolina, after 28 years of serving the community. He enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting, fishing, scouting deer, and enjoying nature. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Cindy McCraw; two brothers, Clarence “Jr.” McCraw and Kenneth E. Waters; and one sister, Mildred Waters.

Surviving are three daughters, Michele Lynn Tallent (Blake) of Mill Spring, North Carolina, Tonya Rae McCraw of Landrum, South Carolina, and Crystal “Dawn” Howell (Nathan) of Spartanburg, South Carolina; two sons, Eric Blan Warren of Hendersonville, North Carolina, and Joshua Ben McCraw of Landrum; three brothers, Clarence McCraw (Joyce), Carroll McCraw (Sandra), and Bobby McCraw; two sisters, Linda Cates (Joe) and Joyce McIntyre; eight grandchildren, Lorrie, Alexis, Austin, Cameron, Christian, Aslynn, Isaiah, Nicholas and Lyric; and one great-grandchild, Blaine.

Services were held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, at Mountain View Baptist Church in Mill Spring, with the Rev. Brian Wilson officiating.

Family received friends prior to the service.

He was laid to rest in the family cemetery at the church.

An online guest register may be signed at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon